General Counsel

ISACA is a global professional association and learning organization that leverages the expertise of its 180,000+ members who work in digital trust fields such as information security, governance, assurance, risk, privacy and quality. It has a presence in 188 countries, including 225 chapters worldwide. Through the ISACA Foundation, ISACA supports IT education and career pathways for underresourced and underrepresented populations.

The General Counsel provides expert and strategic legal advice to ISACA management, manages Board governance policies and procedures, and oversees the legal department at ISACA. This role reports to and partners closely with the CEO to support ISACA and its Executive Leadership Team in many legal matters across the organization, including ISACA global entities.

The General Counsel is responsible for overseeing a wide range of legal matters, including general corporate governance, complex litigation, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property (IP) management, encompassing patent and trademark prosecution as well as IP compliance. This role provides strategic legal oversight to the CEO, Finance, Human Resources, and the ISACA Board of Directors, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Additionally, the General Counsel manages all other legal affairs of the organization, supporting ISACA’s mission and minimizing legal risks across its operations.

• Develop and Implement Legal Strategies: Maintain a comprehensive understanding of ISACA’s operations and key legal documents to craft strategic legal approaches that support the organization's goals. Lead the review, drafting, and negotiation of critical legal documentation to align with business priorities.
• Ensure Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Proactively monitor changes in laws and regulations, ensuring ISACA’s operations remain compliant. Implement strategies that anticipate potential legal challenges and mitigate risks before they arise.
• Strategic Advisor to Leadership: Provide forward-looking legal counsel to executive leadership on evolving legal landscapes, translating complex legal concepts into actionable insights that align with business objectives. Facilitate a clear understanding of legal rights and obligations across the leadership team.
• Litigation and Risk Management: Develop and execute strategic responses to litigation and disputes, working closely with internal teams and managing external counsel. Balance risk management with ISACA’s long-term interests and values.
• Optimize Contract Management Processes: Lead the ISACA Contracts Department in aligning contract management practices with organizational goals, ensuring contracts are negotiated, executed, and managed effectively from inception through renewals. Implement metrics and controls to monitor contract compliance and enhance efficiency.
• Enhance Corporate Compliance Programs: Assess, design, and enhance compliance programs related to corporate governance and human resources, ensuring alignment with best practices and industry standards.
• Corporate Governance and Oversight: Partner with the CEO, Finance, Human Resources, and the ISACA Board of Directors to provide strategic oversight in governance matters, aligning corporate governance practices with ISACA’s strategic vision.
• Lead Litigation Strategy: Serve as the strategic point of contact for all litigation matters, coordinating with external counsel to achieve optimal outcomes for ISACA while maintaining a proactive litigation strategy.
• Strategic Entity Management: Oversee the formation and management of ISACA’s corporate entities, ensuring their structure aligns with global growth strategies and corporate objectives while safeguarding ISACA’s legal interests.
• People Management: Oversee the performance and development of a small team.

Required qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree with 10+ years in legal practice.
• Deep knowledge of corporate and non-profit law.
• Proven track record as a General Counsel or Associate General Counsel.
• Expertise in managing transactions and service agreements across both non-profit and for-profit sectors.
• Skilled in advising on acquisition, merger strategy, and planning.
• Background in multinational legal operations, including the establishment and management of global legal functions.
• Strong ability to collaborate with Boards of Directors.
• Comfortable working in a hybrid environment based in Schaumburg, IL.

 

Preferred qualifications

• Experience as a General Counsel for an organization of $100M annual revenue
• Work experience, preferably in the technology and /or tech audit industry

 

Required Technical Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in regulatory affairs and product liability.
• Strong background in intellectual property matters.
• Knowledge of corporate governance principles.
• Solid track record in litigation.
• Skilled in managing outside counsel.
• Deep understanding of financial management within a corporate legal department.

 

Required Behavioral Competencies

• Personal Leadership – Leads by envisioning the future, engaging others, energizing people, and enabling self and others to develop and execute plans to deliver strategy.
• Builds Partnerships and Collaborates– Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business
• Builds Trust – Interacts with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
• Decision-Making – Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; compares data from various sources to draw conclusions; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; takes action that is consistent with available facts constraints, and probable consequences.
• Energy – Consistently maintains high levels of activity or productivity; sustains long working hours when necessary; operates with vigor, effectiveness, and determination over extended periods of
• Quality Orientation – Accomplishes tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; shows concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checks processes and tasks; is watchful over a period of time.
• Tenacity – Stays with a position or plan of action until the desired objective is obtained or is no longer reasonably attainable.

ISACA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. ISACA is committed to building an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, familial status, military discharge status, or any other characteristic or status protected by federal, state, or local law. We support an inclusive workplace where employees excel based on merit, qualifications, experience, and ability.